Iranian artist inspired by Iqbal’s Persian poetry

KARACHI: Ali Piran, a calligrapher from Zahidan, is inspired by Allama Iqbal’s Persian poetry, which he uses extensively in his work.

As a mix of Iranian and Pakistani artists put up their work on display at the Iranian Culture Centre, one can see that Piran is not the only one who has “equal love for both Iran and Pakistan”.

Piran uses walnut ink on canvas in the style of ‘Shikasta Nastleeq’ in his calligraphic art. For him, writing the name of Allah and his Prophet (pbuh) is a noble thing. “I have been doing this work for the past 20 years,” he said.

The exhibition of Islamic calligraphy, paintings, Meenakari [enamelling] and stone work shows the common aspects of the culture of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.

Iranian artist Mehdi Haidri told The Express Tribune that, “I got the inspiration from my father who was also a Meenakar and now I have 20 students of my own”. Enameling is an old Persian art in which metals are covered with colours and small pieces of minerals. Haidri said that it takes him one whole day to prepare a single item.

The exhibition also includes the work of Pakistani artist Jan Mohammad, who uses marble stone. Other artists included in the show are Abdul Aziz, Nasir, Mohammad Zobair, Hashim Khan, Ahmed Anwar along with the paintings of Iranian leaders, Ruhollah Khomeini and Ayatollah Khomeini. The exhibition will continue till March 2.

The culture centre has also arranged Iranian movies based on social issues with Urdu dubbing, which are being played for visitors between 4 pm and 5:30 pm every day.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 26^th, 2011.